Protective device for trousers



Aug. 26, 1952 o. B. LAWRENCE PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR TROUSERS Filed Aug. 2, 1949 INVENTOR O.- 5. Lawrence ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR TROUSERS Oscar R. Lawrence, Birmingham, Ala.

Application August 2, 1949, Serial No. 108,069

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for protecting those portions of the trousers which come into contact with the knees of the wearers against the absorption of perspiration.

It, is a well known fact that sweat glands are numerous around the knees and during summer perspiration flows freely. The knees of the pants absorb the moisture so that it is necessary .to have the trousers cleaned frequently and at the same time the knees must be specially treated to remove the saline solution.

It is an object of the present invention to protect the knees of trousers from absorbing the perspiration by partially encasing the knee in a water-proof shield so constructed that binding will be avoided while permitting free leg movement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device which is applied removably to the knees of the wearer, said device having as its main protective element, a shield manufactured from a thin strip of water-proof and light weight materials in contact with'the trousers to prevent the knees of the trousers from becoming soiled and discolored, spaced elastic bands being attached thereto to permit freedom of movement of the legs of the wearer without the feeling of binding.

This invention is best understood from a consideration of the detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that the invention is not confined to the disclosure, but is susceptible of such changes and modifications as shall define no material departure from the salient features as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of my'protective device for trousers shown applied to a knee of the wearer; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the protective device.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I

designates a shield which forms the main ele- 2 able to have circulation of air between the knees and the shield.

A length of tape or webbing II is located at the upper and lower ends of the shield as shown in Figure 2. One side edge I2 of the tape is stitched or otherwise fastened to the adjacent edge of the shield.

A length of elastic I3 has one side edge secured to the opposite side edge M of the tape I I. There is an elastic band at the top and bottom of the shield, each of these elastic bands I3 being stretchable transversely to permit ample freedom of movement of a leg upon which the shield is engaged.

A tape or webbing [5 end of the trousers protecting device. One'side edge I6 of the tape is stitched or secured in any approved manner to the outer side edge of the elastic band.

A strap 2i} which may be formed of elastic materials has one end sewed to one end of the tape I5. A buckle 2I of any well known type is connected to the outer free end of the strap. A second strap 22 of elastic material has the inner end secured at 23 to the other end of each of the tapes I5 located at the top and bottom of the shield.

The shield I!) midway between the top. and bottom thereof is bowed outwardly along the side edges as shown at 24 to provide sufficient coverage for the sides of the knees. These side edges are reinforced by a silk tape 25 which are stitched to or otherwise attached to the fabric of the shield.

It will be noted that the side edges of the shield taper progressively inwardly from the bowed-out portions 24. This tapering is extended through the opposite outer ends of the tapes II and I5 and the intermediately disposed elastic bands I3. This tapering reduces the width of those portions of the protective device where they are attached to the legs of the wearer.

The elastic bands I3 permit freedom of movement transversely and prevent binding. This is particularly true since they are disposed between the pairs of the flexible tapes I! and I5.

As shown in Figure 1, the shields ID are fitted onto the knees and the free ends of the straps 22 are clamped in position by the buckles 2| above and below the knees. Since the straps 122 are manufactured from elastic materials they will hold the shields in place without causing any discomfort to the wearer while the elastic bands I3 permit movement of the legs without binding.

The tapes I I and I 5 and the intermediately disis disposed at each outer posed elastic bands l3 are arranged transversely to the length of the elongated shield I and at the opposite ends thereof. The tapes are of a well-known type of a prefabricated band usually employed for binding the edges of fabrics to prevent fraying. Said bands are manufactured from various kinds of threads. Such as cotton, rayon, etc. Such bands may be stretched slightly and are flexible.

Inasmuch as the legs of a human will vary as to dimensions, the garments must be produced in varying sizes, although the tapes 22 may be readily adjusted within the buckles 2| for adjustment upon a leg.

What I claim:

1. A device for protecting the knees of trousers from absorbing perspiration comprising an elongated shield adapted to be loosely fitted over the knee of the wearer to provide a fullness and formed of waterproof materials, a pair of spaced tapes arranged transversely at the opposite ends of the shield, an elastic band between each pair of tapes and stretchable transversely of its length, the longitudinal edges of the tapes being secured to the adjacent edges of the elastic band, the outer edge of one tape being secured to an end of the shield, and means at each end of the shield for securing the shield to legs of the wearer.

2. A device for protecting the knees of trousers from absorbing perspiration comprising an elongated shield formed of Waterproof material, and adapted to be fitted loosely over the knee of the wearer to provide a fullness, a tape secured to respective ends of the shield, an elastic band complemental to each tape and having one side edge attached to the free edge of said tape, a second tape complemental to each elastic 'band and having one side edge connected to the free edge of each elastic band, an elastic strap extending outwardly from an end of each of said second named tapes and a buckle projecting from each of the other ends of the second named tapes and cooperating with the adjacently disposed elastic straps for securing the shield to the leg of the wearer, said elastic band being stretchable transversely of its length.

OSCAR B. LAWRENCE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,730,493 Cooper Oct. 8, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,834 Great Britain 1907 

